The Lindenwood Shotgun Sports program celebrated its eighth consecutive national team title and honored the 2011 championship team in a ring ceremony on Wednesday, August 31st. The event took place at the Columns Banquet Center in St. Charles and attracted close to 240 guests including athletes, family members, Lindenwood University President Dr. James D. Evans, as well as several Lindenwood Vice Presidents and members of the university Board of Directors.

Four-time Olympic medalist and current world number one ranked shooter Kim Rhode served as the keynote speaker and one of the ring presenters. Rhode focused her speech on what it takes to be a true winner and champion. “It's not about being the best at your game or standing on top of the podium,” she advised. “A true champion is a person of character; a person that does the right thing even when no one else is around.”

Head Coach Shawn Dulohery was excited to have Rhode speak before his team, “It was great for our athletes to hear the most successful shotgun shooter in U.S. history speak about the importance of character to her success and in her life.” Rhode will have a chance to make history as a five-time Olympic medalist as part of the U.S. team at the 2012 games in London.

Current Lee's Summit High School Shooting Coach Sharon Early also served as a presenter in tribute to her late husband Dennis, who coached Shawn Dulohery in high school. Dennis was instrumental in developing the Missouri high school shooting program and both he and Sharon Early are considered icons in the state shooting community.

A total of seven athletes received rings for individual championships. Cassandra Douglas won the women's American Skeet title, Nikki Salvo was the women's N.R.A. All-American Shootout Championship, Megan Orle won the women's Wobble Trap title and Sarah Hughes, the 2010 and 2011 Lindenwood Female Shooter of the year, won both the women's Five Stand championship and the women's High Overall championship. On the men's side, Robert Auerbach received an individual ring for the men's High Overall Championship, Brendan Appel won the American Trap title and Cody Reid was the International Skeet champion.

The following athletes received a team championship ring or buckle: Dustin Anderson, Brendan Appel, Eileen Applegate, Robert Auerbach, Callie Banister, Adam Benkendorf, Philip Benvenuto, Garrett Blankenship, Zach Bollman, Katelyn Bonn, Talia Borg, Zach Bryant, Dominic Buoni, Ben Cozzi, Josh Cresswell, Jared Darby, Cassandra Douglas, Jon Ebbers, Caylin Emery, Blake Fahmie, Alessandro De Souza Ferreira, Kevin Gruetzner, Chad Hafer ,Michael Hahn, Hunter Hopkins, Rachel Hopkins, Matt Hughes, Sarah Hughes, Christine Jack, Jonathan Kacmarcik, Elizabeth Key, Wayne Kidd, Pat Klug, Taylor Matheny, Alik Miller, Lauren Mueller, Zack Nannini, Megan Orle, Adam Ozier, Colton Raley, Walter Reaster, Cody Reid, Samantha Rettell, Chris Riley, Cole Rommel, Nikki Salvo, William Schmeisser, Matthew Schutzius, Sara Simpson, Ryan Stehl, Casey Van Sant, Tim Varble, Robby Wahlbrink, Jake Wallace, Tyler Wallace, James West, Jacob Wideman, Joe Will, Geri Williams, Brittany Wright, Courtney Yates and Print Zutavern.

Shotgun Sports Coaches that received rings included: Shawn Dulohery, Sheli Dulohery, Doug Jack, Jim Mollerus, Monika Wilson, Ted Wilson, Steve Wirth and Steve Wolk.

Lindenwood University captured its eighth straight team title at the 2011 ACUI Intercollegiate National Championships held in April in San Antonio, Texas, finishing 50 points ahead of Southeastern Illinois College. It also marked the second straight year that the Lions swept every team event in the competition.